Mr. Charles Edward Dempsy, Secretary of the United Farmers' Co-operative Association
Limited, was born in Roscrea, Tipperary, Ireland, in 1862, and was educated in Dublin.
Entering mercantile life in the capital city of his native land, Mr. Dempsy qualified as a book
keeper, and for nine years held the position of accountant for the firm of Jameson, Pins and
Company., brewers. He was subsequently with the Phoenix Brewery Company in a similar
capacity for three years. Leaving Britain, Mr. Dempsy went to New Calabar, on the West
Coast of Africa, as trading representative for Messrs. Harrison and Co., merchants, of
Liverpool, remaining two years. In 1889 he came to New Zealand, travelling by SS Orient to
Sydney. Early in the following year he entered the service of Messrs. J. Nathan and Co. in
Palmerston North, as accountant. On the incorporation of the Manawatu Farmers'
Co-operative Association, Mr. Dempsy was appointed secretary of the Company, which
position he retained till the amalgamation with the Union Farmers' Alliance and the
establishment of the United Farmers' Co-operative Association, Limited, of which he became
secretary. As a member of the craft, he was initiated in Lodge Manawatu, No. 1721, E. C.
and as an Oddfellow. He belongs to the local lodge under the Manchester Unity. Mr. Dempsy
was married in 1890 to a daughter of the late Mr. Francis Falkner, merchant, of Dublin, and
has two daughters.